IPOB Demands International Inquiry Into South-East Insecurity, Accuses Nigerian Government, Military Of Covering Up Killings And Scapegoating Group

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has called for an independent, internationally supervised public inquiry into the root causes of insecurity in Nigeria’s South-East, accusing the Nigerian government and the military of concealing the truth behind violence in the region. In a statement issued by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, the separatist group criticised comments attributed to Major General Michael Onoja, dismissing them as “recycled propaganda” and challenging authorities to subject their claims to open, global scrutiny.

IPOB questioned why the government has consistently refused calls for a judge-led inquiry if it is confident in its narrative, insisting that evidence should be presented publicly under oath with international oversight. The group reacted to Onoja’s reported claim that insecurity in the South-East had significantly reduced following the imprisonment of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu and separatist agitator Simon Ekpa, which the military said weakened criminal networks in the region.

Rejecting this position, IPOB said it has “nothing to hide” and urged international bodies such as the United Nations, African Union, European Union and the United States to support an independent commission of inquiry. The group cited past incidents including the 2016 Nkpor killings, Aba National High School shootings, the invasion of Kanu’s home, the Zaria Shiite clashes, Odi and Zaki-Biam operations, and the 2020 Lekki Toll Gate shootings as examples of alleged state violence against civilians that remain unresolved.

IPOB also referenced warnings by former Defence Minister, General Theophilus Danjuma (rtd), about alleged collusion between security forces and armed groups, accusing politicians and security actors of nurturing militias before blaming IPOB when violence escalates. The group further criticised the APC and PDP for what it described as a nationwide collapse of security.

Among its demands, IPOB called for a foreign judge to chair a public inquiry into South-East insecurity, unrestricted access to security records, international protection for whistleblowers, and the immediate and unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu. The group warned that continued refusal to allow independent scrutiny would deepen public suspicion, insisting that history would eventually expose the truth.

President Tinubu Reappoints Buba Marwa as NDLEA Chairman.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has renewed the appointment of Brigadier-General Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd) as Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for another five-year term.

The announcement was made on Friday by Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy.

Marwa, first appointed by the late President Muhammadu Buhari in January 2021, previously served as Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee for the Elimination of Drug Abuse between 2018 and 2020. His renewed tenure means he will lead the NDLEA until 2031.

An Adamawa-born retired military officer, Marwa is a former military governor of Lagos and Borno States and an alumnus of both the Nigerian Military School and the Nigerian Defence Academy.

Commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1973, he held several key roles, including brigade major of the 23 Armoured Brigade, Aide-de-Camp to then Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Theophilus Danjuma, and academic registrar of the NDA. He also served as Deputy Defence Adviser at the Nigerian Embassy in Washington, DC, and later as Defence Adviser to Nigeria’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations.

Marwa holds two postgraduate degrees: a Master of Public and International Affairs from the University of Pittsburgh and a Master of Public Administration from Harvard University.

His time at the NDLEA has been marked by major successes, including the arrest of more than 73,000 drug traffickers and the seizure of over 15 million kilogrammes of illicit substances.

The agency has also intensified nationwide campaigns against drug abuse under his leadership.

President Tinubu praised Marwa’s achievements, describing his reappointment as a vote of confidence and urging him to continue pursuing drug cartels and traffickers seeking to endanger Nigerians, especially the youth.

"How can I sit quietly in my office when government officials, including directors, are being attacked and beaten?"
— Wike defends his clash with Lt. A.M. Yerima

Reacting to the recent incident involving a naval officer, Minister Nyesom Wike expressed concern about the safety and morale of government officials, saying:

“How can I effectively serve as a minister when government officials are being attacked and intimidated? These are public servants, yet they face threats while sitting in their offices, trying to perform their duties. How can they carry out their responsibilities if they feel unprotected?

“I’ve had calls from respected figures like Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, a former President and head of state, or General Theophilus Danjuma, who are retired generals. When they encounter a problem, they call a minister directly. There’s no intimidation, no threat just respect. And I ensure their issues are addressed promptly. That is how respect and protocol work.

“This is very different from situations where serving officers engage in acts of indiscipline. For instance, when a serving major general attacked a control, I immediately wrote a letter to the President and the Chief of Defence Staff, who was the Chief of Army Staff at the time, to address the matter. Everything falls under the authority and control of the military, and proper channels must be observed.

“Before I assumed office, contracts had been awarded to develop areas close to military barracks. Contractors were chased away. I intervened, involving the late Chief of Army Staff, Chief Olabanji, and other relevant defense officials, to find solutions without conflict. I have always respected established processes, and I continue to prioritize resolution through dialogue rather than confrontation.”

"I Will Testify in Nnamdi Kanu’s Trial if Subpoenaed" — Nyesom Wike.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, says he is ready to appear as a witness in the ongoing trial of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu—if officially summoned by the court.

Wike made this known during his monthly media chat on Friday in Abuja, following questions about his inclusion on Kanu’s list of witnesses.

Earlier in the week, Kanu had filed a motion at the Federal High Court, Abuja, indicating plans to open his defence on October 24, 2025. The IPOB leader named 23 witnesses, including Wike, former Minister of Defence Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (retd), and former Chief of Army Staff Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd).

Reacting to the development, Wike said he was unaware of his inclusion and had not received any formal notice.

Nnamdi Kanu Opens Defence, Lists 23 Witnesses Including Wike, Sanwo-Olu and Ex-Military Chiefs.

Detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has agreed to open his defence, marking a major turn in his long-running trial.

This comes just hours after protests in parts of Abuja led by Omoyele Sowore, presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2023 elections, calling for Kanu’s release.

Kanu had earlier filed a motion challenging the court’s jurisdiction, but in a fresh application on Tuesday, October 21, he informed Justice James Omotosho that he was ready to defend himself, citing a previous court order directing him to begin on October 24, 2025.

He revealed plans to call 23 witnesses divided into two groups—“ordinary but material witnesses” and “vital and compellable witnesses”—to testify under Section 232 of the Evidence Act.

He also requested 90 days to conclude his defence, indicating he may now be representing himself instead of his legal team led by Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN).

Among those he intends to summon as witnesses are former Defence Minister Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd), ex-Army Chief Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd), Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Imo Governor Hope Uzodinma, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, Works Minister Dave Umahi, former Abia Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, former Justice Minister Abubakar Malami (SAN), and ex-NIA DG Ahmed Rufai Abubakar.

Kanu said he would personally testify to “deny the allegations” and explain the political context of his actions, assuring the court that he would not waste its time and that “justice must be seen to be done.”

Meanwhile, on the same day, a magistrate court in Abuja ordered the remand of Kanu’s special counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, and 12 others who joined the protests demanding his release. 

They face charges of conspiracy, unlawful assembly, and public disturbance, and will appear in court again on October 24.